There has been considerable buzz this summer about the Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs making a significant trade this summer.
For now, they’ll have to settle for swapping draft picks. The Hawks sent their 2010 second-round pick (originally from Toronto) to Toronto for the Leafs’ 2011 second and third-round picks.
According to Bob McKenzie, even though this trade was just for draft picks, it could be the start of something big for Toronto:
Why would the Leafs effectively pay a net price of a third-round pick to get a second-round pick in the 2010 draft instead of the 2011 draft?
Well, the move now gives Toronto their own first, second and third-round picks in the next NHL entry draft, which is the prerequisite for any team that would want to submit an offer sheet on a top restricted free agent player this summer.
For the record, McKenzie lists Boston’s Phil Kessel as Brian Burke’s number one restricted target.
Actually, I think this shows how much work needs to be done in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. Why would there need to be a prerequisite of having a first, second, and third-round picks in a draft when those picks aren’t going to be used as compensation?
So the NHL Draft takes place in late June of 2010, free agency starts on July 1, 2010, does it make any sense that a team must have used it’s first three picks in the previous draft?
Shouldn’t it be more important that the Leafs have those three picks in the following year’s draft so if they do end up signing a restricted free agent in July, a team like Boston would have those picks to use in the 2011 Draft?
Color me confused.
Fifth Feather 
So how many second round picks do we actuall have next year?
We have one coming from Calgary for the Rene Bourque trade.
I believe that second round pick was from Calgary via Toronto and the Hawks sent it back home. Therefore, they only have their own second round pick.
thanks.
That second round pick was from Montreal which the Blackhawks got in the Lang trade so they still have Calgary’s second in the next draft.
Also Kessel is an RFA this summer so if Toronto wanted to sign him now, they would need to give up picks next year depending on the size of the contract.
dominator, you’re right on both fronts. For some reason, I thought Kessel wasn’t restricted until next summer. This makes sense now.
Some Hawkey observers (Sassone, Cimaglia) have been wondering if this is part of some relationship-building between Burke and Bowman. Burke needs some forwards, and Stan has a bunch.
Cimaglia seems to think one Garnet Exelby might find his way to Chicago.
Thoughts anyone?
That has been some scuttle for much of the off season. However, Toronto just got him.
@Lou…yeah, you know that scuttle…it just keeps everybody yakking while we wait for the puck to drop 😉
But seriously, Burke can use what Bowman has to offer…some guys to boost the Leafs’ frontlines.
What does Burke have that Bowman might want, if anything?
A full head of hair and a defensman or two.
Lou, Stan can always try the Trump comb-over. 😉
PS Madame Zara, who sees all and knows all, forecasts The Burke recognizing Little Bow’s munificence. BTW the Mad Hungarian clairvoyant is advisor to hockey mavens who dare not speak her name.
She sees B-Squared plucking Brent Sopel from the Hawkey Flock, along with skillful Jack Skille, while X-L-B gets a ticket to Chi-Town as the Hawks fly towards another appearance in the Final Four. A draft pick and a book of coupons for Tim Horton Donuts may also be included.